GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Western Washington University junior Jenn Pauland sophomore Stephanie Sewellturned in rounds of 1-under-par 71 to lead the Vikings into 4th place after the first round of the Mustang Intercollegiate on Monday at Palm Valley Golf Club.

The 19-team, 100-player tournament is hosted by Western New Mexico University, and is serving as the last regular-season event for the Vikings leading up to the GNAC Championships April 24-25 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

WWU finished the first 18 holes of the 36-hole tournament with a 9-over-par round of 297, two shots back of 2nd place and six back of first-place California Baptist (+3, 291).

“I thought we had a better day today with Jenn and Stephanie both playing really well,” said head coach Bo Stephan. “It was a good team effort today and we are going to need that again tomorrow if we are going to make a move up the leaderboard. I’ve been really pleased to see all of the girls striking the ball well. We are going to try to continue that tomorrow and get some more putts to drop.”

Paul (Bellingham, WA) and Sewell (Kent, WA/Kentridge) are tied for 2nd in the field as two of only five golfers to break par on the par 72, 5,900-yard layout. Paul carded 4 birdies and 3 bogeys in her season-best round, while Sewell had 3 birdies and 2 bogeys to finish one shot off her career-low round of 70 set as a freshman.

WWU’s other counting scores included senior Brooke Branigan(Bellingham, WA) with a 5-over-par 77 (tied for 34th) and senior Audrey Orem(Bellingham, WA) with a 6-over-par 78 (tied for 41st). Sophomore Hannah Drake(Pocatello, ID/Century) is tied for 57th with an 8-over-par 80.

California Baptist leads team competition at 3-over-par (291), followed by West Texas A&M (+7, 295) and St. Edward’s (+7, 295). Isabel Morales of St. Edward’s turned in a 3-under-par 69 to lead the individual medalist competition after the first round.

The tournament concludes Tuesday with the Vikings contingent teeing off of the first hole starting at 7:30 am.